Official press release:
Australia’s alt-rock outfit Awaken I Am premiere their new single, “Indifference”, with details behind their upcoming EP, The Beauty In Tragedy, a tribute to their late guitarist Connor Verner-Oakley. Set for release on Oakley’s birthday April 26, 2019, the five-track EP features the previously released song/video “Dissolution”, as well as three new tracks dedicated to Oakley. Drummer Luke McKenzie explains:
“The last track we had the privilege of recording with Connor was ‘Dissolution’, he was so proud of it. We shared the same dream with him and we hope to make Connor proud by keeping that dream alive with The Beauty In Tragedy.”
McKenzie adds:
“Nevermind he was Awaken I Am’s guitarist, Connor was a friend first and foremost. We needed to regroup but it was very difficult, beyond our wildest reach. During the writing, recording and the lead up process to completing these songs, it forced us to face grief and loss everyday as we worked through it. The release of this EP is our chance to give ourselves and fans something to always remember Connor by while giving us closure to move on to a new chapter as a band.”
Vocalist Jimmy Stevenson on the new track states:
“Sometimes you are in a relationship where you want the best for your other half, yet that person wants to push you away and only be happy when it benefits them, and that is meaning behind ‘Indifference’.”
In May of 2018, the remaining members of Awaken I Am returned to the US and dove straight into writing/recording with producer Taylor Larson (The Word Alive, Asking Alexandria). Apart from two songs written with Oakley (‘By Your Side’ and ‘Dissolution’), the other three tracks serve as a tribute. Some directed towards their fallen brother, others at the responsible party.
On the EP’s title, McKenzie adds:
“Through all of the pain, our goal was to take a completely tragic situation and make something beautiful from it, inspiring the name The Beauty In Tragedy. Recording this was a chance to be sad, angry, confused and trying to find a way to come to terms with the grief the best we can through music.”
Awaken I Am start 2019 with a trio of tours, first in Australia starting January 31 (supporting Secrets), followed by another Australian run (with Slaves), followed by Awaken I Am’s third US tour beginning April 26 (with Secrets).
The Beauty In Tragedy EP track listing:
- “Kin”
- “By Your Side”
- “Dissolution”
- “Indifference”
- “The Stages Of Grief”
